Yarn guide device



y 1 B. suam 2,347,801

YARN GUIDE DEVICE Filed July 3, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l nun z myampn: ,Begamm zzbm,

ATTORNEY M y 1944- B. SUBIN 2,347,801

YARN GUIDE DEVICE Filed July s, 1945 2 SheetsSheet 2 INYENTQR: ficaiammakin, BY 5' TI'ORNEY.

Patented May 2, 1944 YARN GUIDE DEVICE Benjamin Subin, AbingtonTownship, Montgomery County, Pa., assignor to Hosiery Patents Inc.,Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 3, 1943,Serial No. 493,486

16 Claims.

This invention relates to yarn carriers for straight, or full-fashionedhosiery knitting machines, and more particularly to those havingassociated therewith a releasably mounted yarn guide device, or tube, ofthe resilient type, such as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,317,318issued to F. G. Weisbecker on April 20, 1943.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved resilientyarn guide device, or tube, for such yarn carriers, which can be readilypro duced by automatic machinery in that all, or

certain of the constituent parts thereof, including a latch element, areformed from a single piece of resilient or other'material, or wire.

Another object is to provide such a resilient yarn guide device, ortube, having a novel and improved latch element integrally unitedtherewith, either at one end thereof, or intermediate of its ends.

An additional object is to provide novel and improved retaining meansfor the replaceable and resilient yarn guide device, or tube, of such ayarn carrier.

It is also an object to provide such a yarn carrier with novel resilientyarn guide means having structural and functional features of advantageover similar devices of the prior art.

With these and other objects in view, which will become readily apparentfrom the following detailed description of the practical illustrativeembodiments of my novel yarn carrier improvements, shown in theaccompanying drawings, the invention comprises the new elements,features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperativerelationship, as herein disclosed and more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings:

- type having an offset Figure 1 is a front elevational view, on anenlarged scale, of the lower end of a conventional yarn carrier of thetype illustrated in U. S. Weisbecker Patent No. 2,317,318, having myinvention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, and shows another embodimentof my invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the yarn guide device,or tube, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of the yarn guide device,or tube, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken as indicated by thearrows 5-5 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken as indicated by thearrows 66 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5, and illustrates howthe latch element of my novel yarn guide device is moved forward toeffect release of the latter.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7, and likewise illustrates the latchrelease position of the form of my novel yarn guide device shown inFigs. 2, 4 and 6.

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the lower ends of twoconventional yarn carriers-of the or bent portion, as disclosed in saidU. S. Patent No. 2,317,318, however adapted, or modified, forcooperative association with my novel yarn guide devices shown in Figs.3 and 4, respectively.

Figs. 11, and 12 are perspective views of the lower ends of the yarncarriers of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, with the yarn guide devices, ortubes, omitted.

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2, but on a larger scale,and shows another embodiment of my invention.

"Fig. 14 is a view corresponding to Fig. 13, but with the yarn guidedevice omitted.

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the yam guide device, or tube of Fig.13.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken substantially asindicated by the arrows Iii-l6 on Fi 13.

Since my invention is primarily directed to the improvement of thereplaceable, or releasably mounted resilient yarn guide devices, ortubes, such as are cooperatively associated with the lower ends of yarncarriers for straight or full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines, ofthe general type disclosed in the above referred to Patent No.2,317,318, the drawings hereof depict only those pertinent parts of sucha yarn carrier as are directly associated with, and related to my novelimprovements. For more detailed information concerning the constructionand operation of a complete conventional yarn carrier of the type towhich this invention relates, and its use on a straight orfull-fashioned hosiery knitting machine, reference may be had to thenoted patent, as well as to U. S. Patent No. 2,014,341, which issuedSeptember 10, 1935.

The practical embodiment of my invention illustrated by Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7and 11, comprises a conventional yarn carrier arm 20, the lower'end ofwhichis constructed and arranged to support one form of my novelflexible yarn guide device, or tube, generally indicated by thereference nu meral 2|.

The yarn guide device 2|, is formed of a single piece of resilientmaterial, or wire, and comprises a resilient tubular part, or section22, which is tion of either cylindrical or longitudinally taperedconfiguration.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the latch element 23 is formed byextending the wire from the top convolution of the tubular section 22,first laterally in one direction to provide the 'straight part 23, thenlaterally in the opposite direction to form an arcuate part 23*, andthen bending the end piece 23 back along the concave surface of the part23*.

Since it has already been found in practice that the spiral winding of awire to form the tubular section 22 can be readilycarried out by anautomatic machine, and the latch element 23 merely involves a few simplewire bending operations, it will be realized that the entire yarn guidedevice, or element 2|, is subject, to production by automatic machinery.This constitutes an important feature of my invention, and one which isbelieved to be of real significance in that it reatly facilitates theproduction, and reduces the manufacturing cost, of such devices.

As previously indicated, the yarn carrier arm 20 is generallyconstructed and shaped in accordance with the type of carrier armdisclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,317,318. The lower section of such ayarn carrie arm is usually tapered longitudinally so that its thinnestportion is at the end arranged to support the yarn guide device, or tube2|. This end of carrier arm 20 is also tapered to its opposite edges, asshown in Figs. 5 and 7.

It is noted that conventional straight, or fullfashioned hosieryknitting machines have as many as seven or nine yarn carriers for use inknitting a single fiat stocking fabric, or blank, and that the lowerends of the yarn carriers 20, travel in closely spaced parallel paths,the individual carriers having reciprocating movement and traveling inan edgewise direction.

Along the longitudinal center line, the thickness of the arm 20 may besubstantially the same, or slightly greater, than the external diameterof the upper end of the tube .22, depending upon the number of yarncarrier arms operating in a given knitting machine section, andconsequently the space available to permit the individual arms to freelypass each other, as well understood in the art.

In conformity with prior practice, the bottom edge 24 of the carrier 20is of such curved configuration as to provide space for free lateralflexing movement of the protruding end of the resilient yarn guide tube22.

A bore or passage 25 extends along the center line of the carrier arm 20from the bottom edge 24 to an eye, or aperture 26. The diameter of thebore 25 is such as to provide a free sliding fit for the yarn guide tube22. Where the central section of the carrier arm 20 is thicker than thediameter of the bore 25, and the bore is located in the middle thereof,the process of forming the bore 25 will not result in a break in thefront or rear faces of the carrier arm. Where, however, the bore islocated substantially flush with the front face of the carrier 20, toprovide a continuous wall section in the carrier at the rear of tube 22,the said process will effect a slight separation in the front face, asindicated at 21 in the drawmgs.

The aperture 26 is relatively narrow so as to avoid weakening of theyarn carrier arm 20, and is preferably not much wider than the externaldiameter of the yarn guide tube 22. Where the carrier arm 20 is ofsufficient thickness, a recess may be provided in place of the aperture26, to thereby leave the reverse carrier face unbroken.

As shown in Fig. 9, if the carrier arm is of the type having a bend 28,the upper end of aperture 26 is terminated adjacent to, and below thebend, and a yarn guide groove 29 is provided along the front face of thecarrier arm 20 which terminates at the aperture 26.

To retain the device 2| in operative position on the carrier arm 20, thelatter is provided with complementary latch means for the latch element.23, comprising a recess, or recesses 30, formed in the front face ofthe carrier arm 20, which extend laterally from opposite sides of theaperture 26. As clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the recesses 30 are ofsuch size and shape as to substantially conform with the size and shapeof the latch element 23 of the device 2|, so as to form a cooperatingseat, or socket for said element. The tubular portion 22 is of suchlength that, when the latch element 23 is in position in the recesses30, the portion 22 extends downwardly, partly through the aperture 26,through the bore 25 and beyond the lower end of the latter to a pointlocating its tip in proper position relative to knitting needles and theother knitting elements with which the yamcarrier cooperates during itsyarn laying or feeding operation.

As previously indicated, if the tubular portion 22 which projects belowthe end of the carrier 20 strikes an obstruction during use of the yarncarrier on a knitting machine, the projecting tube end will yield due toits flexible construction. When the obstruction has been passed, thedeflected tube end will return to normal yarn feeding position due toits resiliency. During such yielding movements, the projecting tube endcan freely move in the space defined by the curved bottom edge 24 of thecarrier arm 20.

The yarn guide device 2| can be readily removed from the carrier arm 20by pressing the latch element 23 forwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, and thensliding the tube portion 22 endwise upwardly, until the bottom tip ofthe tube is withdrawn from the bore 25. The tube removal may beaccomplished with suitable tweezers, or other equivalent means. Thetweezers are manipulated to grip the tubular portion 22 adjacent to, andbelow the latch element 23, and when so held, the indicated withdrawingmovement of the tube 22 can be readily carried out.

The device 2| may be inserted in place in the carrier arm 20 by placingthe bottom tip of the tubular section .22 in the aperture 26, and thentendency of the latch element 23 to move out of its recesses 30, and thedevice 2| is thus retained in assembled relation with the carrier arm20. The latching means just described also prevents longitudinalmovement of the yarn guide device 23 along the carrier arm 20, and thetubular member 22 is thus securely held in proper yarn laying, orfeeding, position on the carrier arm 20. It is also noted that theresiliency of the tubular member 22, of the device 2|, opposes anytendency of the latch element 23 becoming unseated due to jarring of theyarn carrier while in use on a knitting machine, and additionallyprovides the desired yieldability and resiliency which facilitates quickand easy withdrawal and replacement of the device by the machineoperator, or attendant.

The curved part 23 of the latch element 23 contactingly fits thecorrespondingly curved walls of the recesses 30 and this arrangement,together with the side walls of the recesses, effects adjustment of thelatch element 23, under the influence of the resilient tubular section22, so that the latter automatically assumes the straight line positionshown in the drawings.

The embodiment of my invention disclosed by Figs. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 ofthe drawings, differs from the embodiment already described only in theprovision of a modified form of latching means for the yarn guide device2|, and a corresponding modification of the complementary latching meanson the support or arm 20. To facilitate an understanding of thedifferences involved, the same reference numerals used in connectionwith the description of the first embodiment, have consequently beenapplied to the corresponding parts in the illustrations of the saidfigures, and only the variations are designated by new referencecharacters.

In this second embodiment of my invention, the latch element 34 is alsoformed from the same resilient piece of wire comprising the tubularsection 22. The wire is extended laterally from the top convolution 'ofthe section 22, and its end is hook-shaped as indicated at 34 As shownin Figs. 6, 7, and 8, a continuous recess or groove 3|, in the carrierarm 20, extends sidewise across the right front face section of thelatter, around its right edge, and partly along its rear face, to snuglyaccommodate the hookshaped latch element 34. To release the yarn guidedevice having the latch element 34 at its top, from the operativeposition shown in Fig. 2, the latch element 34, and the integral upperend of the yarn guide tube 22 extending into the aperture 26, are movedlaterally to the right, and forwardly, as shown in Fig. 8, until thehookshaped end 34 is released from engagement with the yarn carrier 20.The tubular section 22 can then be withdrawn from the bore 25, by anupward movement of the entire device 2| through the aperture 26.Insertion of such a yarn guide device can, of course, be accomplished bytaking these steps in reverse order. As explained in connection with thepreviously described embodiment of my invention, tweezers may beemployed for the purpose of removing or replacing this second form ofyarn guide device.

It is to be noted that the two embodiments of my invention which have sofar been described, include a resilient yarn guide device, or tube,having a latch element integrally formedat its top. It is also withinthe purview of my invention to provide such a yarn guide v e havlllg alatch element integrally united with the res1llent yarn guide tubeintermediate of its ends. Such an arrangement is disclosed in Figs. 13,14, 15 and 16 of the drawings. Here again, certain of the parts of theyarn guide arm and resilient tubular yarn guide correspond with those ofthe previously described embodiments of my invention, and such parts areconsequently designated by corresponding reference numerals.

By referring more particularly to Fig. 15, it will be seen that theresilient tubular section of the yarn guide device 2| is, in thisinstance, provided with a latch element comprising an expanded portion35. This portion 35 i produced by first progressively increasing andthen decreasing the diameter of certain convolutions of the yarn guidetube formed of resilient wire. Accordingly, convolution 35 is ofslightly greater diameter than the preceding convolutions forming thelower section 22* of the yarn guide tube, whereas convolution 35 isslightly larger than that designated 35 and convolution 35 is slightlysmaller than that designated 35*, but slightly larger than the diameterof the upper tube section 22. It will be understood that more than, orless than, three convolutions of the resilient wire forming theyarn-guide tube can be arranged in this manner, if desired, but I havefound that the arrangement as disclosed in Fig. 15 will provide apractical and satisfactory latch element of this type.

The yarn carrier arm 20 is correspondingly modified to includecomplementary seat, or socket means for the latch element 35, comprisingan aperture 36, which in outline substantially corresponds with theoutline, or contour of the enlarged tubular portion forming the latchelement 35. As shown,.the aperture 36 is located in the carrier arm 20intermediate the aperture 26 and the bore 25. A groove or channel 3'! isprovided in the carrier 20, intermediate the apertures 2B and 36, whichchannel is of a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of theupper tubular section 22 of the yarn guide device 2|, so as to snuglyaccommodate the latter when the yarn guide device 2| is in activeposition on the yarn carrier arm 20, as shown in Fig. 13.

In order that the latch element 35 may not extend beyond the front orrear faces of the yarn guide arm 20, the wire convolutions comprisingthe same are compressed so as to take on an elliptical shape, as clearlyshown in Fig. 16. It will be noted that the spiral convolutionscomprising the latch element 35, at their narrowest or central sections,provide a yarn passage which is at least equal in diameter to that ofthe upper and lower resilient sections 22 and 22 of the yarn guide tube.I

As in the case of the previously described embodiments, verticalmovement of the tube 22 is prevented by the snugly fitting associationof the latch element 35 with its complementary element, or aperture 36,in the yarn guide arm 20. To prevent the device 2| from rotating, orshifting in such manner as to cause edgewise disalignment of element 35relative to the aperture 36, the width of the latter is made slightlyless across its central section than the widest convolution 35. As aresult, the latter is slightly tensioned or compressed, and frictionallyengaged with the lateral walls of aperture 36, and held in place withsufficient tensional force to prevent any rotating tendency of device 2|when in cooperative association with the carrier arm 20.

To remove the yarn guide device 2| from the carrier 20, the latchelement SI and the upper section 2i of the yarn guide tube beyond thelatch element 35, are pressed forwardly to a point freeing the latchelement 35 from the walls of the aperture 36. The device 2| can then bewithdrawn from the bore 25 by an upward movement.

Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that theimprovements herein shown and described are subject to various changes,modifications and additions, without departure from the inventiondisclosed. For example, in accordance with the prior art practice, ahardened steel, or other form of wear-resistant tip, can be added to thelower ends of the various resilient yarn guide tubes herein shown anddescribed, in accordance with the disclosure of U. S. Weisbecker PatentNo. 2,218,977, or other conventional features can be combined with theseveral embodiments of my invention, the scope of which is moreparticularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knitting machine yarn guide device adapted to be releasablyassociated with a support and comprising, a yarn guide section providedwith an integral part which extends beyond the confines of said sectionand forms a latch element adapted to cooperate with complementarylatching means on the support for retaining the device in position onthe latter.

2. A knitting machine yarn guide device adapted to be releasablyassociated with a sup-' port and comprising, a tubular yarn guidesection formed from a single piece of spirally arranged flexiblematerial a part 01' which extends beyond said section and is shaped toprovide a flexible latch element adapted to cooperate with complementarylatching means on the support for retaining the device in operativeposition on the latter.

3. A knitting machine yarn guide device adapted to be releasablyassociated with a support and com-prising, a tubular yarn guide sectionformed from a single piece of spirally arranged resilient material aportion of which extends beyond the end convolution of said section andis shaped to provide a latch element adapted to cooperate withcomplementary latching means on the support for retaining the device inoperative position on the latter.

4. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising arelatively rigid yarn carrier arm, a removable yarn guide tube supportedby said arm and having a portion thereof of resilient construction inthe form of a coiled wire provided with an integral latch element,

means on said carrier arm arranged to cooperate with said element forretaining the tube and carrier arm in assembled relationship said tubebeing removable from said arm by flexing said tube to disengage saidlatching element and sliding said tube endwise.

5. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient material and comprising in combination, a yarn guide memberadapted to be releasably associated with a support, and a resilientlatch element on said member arranged to cooperate with complementarylatching means on the support for retaining the devicein operativeposition on the latter.

6. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a yarn guide membercomprising in combination, a flexible 'tu-bular yarn guide memberadapted to be releasably associated with a yarn carrier arm, and aresilient latch element on said tubular member arranged to cooperatewith complementary latching means on the yarn carrier arm for retainingthe device in operative position on the latter.

8. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a tubular yarn guidemember adapted to be releasably associated with a yarn carrier arm, anda resilient latch element at one end of said tubular member arranged tocooperate with complementary latching means on the yarn carrier arm forretaining the device in operative position on the latter.

9. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a tubular yarn guidemember adapted to be releasably associated with a yarn carrier arm, anda resilient latch element extending crosswise in opposite directionsbeyond the upper end or said tubular member and arranged to cooperatewith complementary latching means on the yarn carrier arm, for retainingthe device in operative position on the latter.

10. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a tubular yarn guidemember adapted to be releasably associated with a support, and aresilient latch element intermediate the ends of said tubular memberarranged to cooperate with complementary latching means on the supportfor retaining the device in operativ position on the latter.

11. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a tubular yarn guidemember adapted to be releasably associated with a support, and aresilient latch element on said member arranged to b brought intotensioned engagement with complementary latching means on the support.

12. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a resilient tubular yarnguide member adapted to be releasably associated with a yarn carrierlatch element intermediate the ends of said member arranged to bebrought into tensioned engagement with complementary latching means onsaid yarn carrier arm.

13. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a resilient tubular yarnguide member adapted to be releasably'associated with a yarn carrierarm, and a resilient latch element extending laterally beyond the upperend of said tubular member and arranged to cooperate with complementarymeans on the yarn carrier arm for retaining the device in operativeposition on the latter.

14. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofwire and comprising in combination, a resilient tubular yarn guidemember adapted to be releasably associated with a yarn guide arm, and ahook-shaped arm, and a resilient asa'maoi .mg means on the, yarn carrierarm to: retaining in operative position on the latter.

15. A knitting machine yarn guide device formed from a single piece ofwire and comprising in combination, a resilient tubular yarn guidemember adapted to be releasably associated with a yarn carrier arm, anda latch element in the form of an enlarged resilient sectionintermediatethe ends of said yarn guide member arranged to cooperatewith complementary latchthe device in operative position on the letter.

16. A knitting machine yarn guide device iormed from ,a single piece ofresilient wire and comprising in combination, a resilient tubular yarnguide member adapted to be releasably associated with a support, and aresilient latch element in'the iorin of an enlarged ellipticallyshapedsection intermediate the ends of said tubular member arranged to bebrought into tensioned engagement with complementary latching means onthe support for retaining the device in operative position on thelatter.

BENJAMIN scam.

